The BIG five

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The BIG five
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McCrae and Costas Five-Factory Theory of
Personality The five-factor theory utilized
factor analysis to narrow down the personality
traits to five broad factors. Factor analysis is
a statistical procedure for determining a smaller
number of dimensions in a data set from a large
number of variables. Specifically, the factors
were generated by scrutinizing the everyday words
that people use to describe different
personalities and lumping them into personality
traits (called the lexical approach). See table
on next page. The Big Five are measured using a
self-report questionnaire called NEO-PI
(Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness) in
which the tested indicate how much they agree
with statements that describe themselves.
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• Extraversion
• Also called dominance-submissiveness or
  surgency.
• Distinguished by sociability, cheerfulness,
  hapiness, and activity.
• Extraverted people interact with a greater
  number of people than introverts and make friends
  more quickly.
• Extraverts, when compared to introverts, feel
  that their relationships are more intimate and
  that they have a greater sense of control in
  those relationships.
• Extraverts are considered genial, playful,
  loving, and talkative and are perceived to
  contribute substantially to group projects.
• However, they are more like to be sexually
  promiscuous, reporting more sexual experiences,
  often without commitment.
• Extraverts also report falling in love in
  college more than introverts do who exhibit
  shyness. As such, extraverts also tend to marry
  earlier than shyer individuals.
• Extraverts may be more biologically responsive
  to pleasure.

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• Agreeableness
• Also called Social Adaptability or Likability
• Characterized by friendliness, compliance, an
  avoidance of hostility, and conformity.
• Agreeable individuals are considered
  compassionate and kind
• Non-agreeable individuals are considered
  mistrustful, merciless, and stubborn.
• Agreeable individuals place high importance on
  being supportive, tolerant, and caring.
• They have little conflict in their relationships
  and avoid asserting power to resolve conflicts.

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• Neuroticism
• Characterized by negative emotions, such as
  anxiety and insecurity.
• Neurotic people tend to be more emotionally
  explosive than others.
• People who score low on neuroticism are happier
  overall and more content than those who score
  high, and are said to have Emotional Stability,
  Emotional Control, and Ego Strength.
• Neuroticism tends to lead to dissatisfaction
  with marriage and life. They exhibit trouble with
  commitment to relationships.
• Neurotics report more unpleasant circumstances
  involving their family, friends, and finances.

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• Conscientiousness
• - Also called Dependability, Impulse Control,
  and Will to Achieve
• - Characterized by cleanliness and ambition.
• Conscientious people are considered to be well
  organized, punctual, and ambitious.
• Conscientious students take good notes, turn in
  assignments on time, keep up with readings, and
  generally receive high GPAs..And they perform
  better in Medical School. Sweet.
• Their high goals result in rewards, which
  stimulates their self esteem
• Predicts career higher job satisfaction, income.
• Conscientious people are generally pleased with
  their lives.
• They are more concerned with health risks and
  therefore more likely to be diagnosed with a
  medical problem early.

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• Openness
• Characterized by artistic, imaginative, and
  intellectual interests.
• Also called Culture, Intellect, Intelligence,
  Imagination.
• Open people are usually artistic, curious,
  imaginative, insightful, and creative.
• Usually have liberal values
• People low in openness report valuing
  cleanliness, obedience, and national security.

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The five factors consist of facets (more precise
traits than the factor itself) that can be
measured separately.
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